The Australian national soccer team led by Jackson Irvine is only one win away from the World Cup in Qatar. The Socceroos won 2-1 once morest the UAE.
Hamburg/Qatar – The dream is alive! St. Paulis Jackson Irvine (29) and the Australian national soccer team have that World Cup play-off game once morest the United Arab Emirates 2-1 (0-0) on Tuesday evening and can continue to dream of the final tournament in Qatar at the end of the year.
Jackson Irvine (29, back) from FC St. Pauli won the World Cup play-off game once morest the United Arab Emirates with the Australian national team. © Hussein Sayed/AP/dpa
Now the Socceroos just need a win once morest Peru on June 13 to qualify for the Winter World Cup. The winner of this match completes Group D with defending champions France, Denmark and Tunisia.
Australia’s 2-1 win over VAR was hard-fought. Kiezkicker Irvine experienced an emotional roller coaster ride and played a key role in his team continuing to dream of the finals.
The 29-year-old gave his team the lead in the 53rd minute. Martin Boyle (29) had asserted himself on the right flank, moved into the penalty area and played the ball sharply in front of the goal just before the touchline. Irvine ran in there and pushed the ball over the line at the level of the first post from five meters.
However, the joy was short-lived. Because just four pointer turns later, the equalizer came, in which the Kiezkicker played his part.
After a cross from the left, Irvine punched an air hole in the center and, with a little luck, VAR kicker Caio Candeo was able to take the ball with him and put it under the bar to make it 1-1.
Despite the setback, the Australians had more of the game and had several chances to make it 2-1. This wanted to fall but only six minutes before the end. Irvine was not involved in the goal this time, but another professional who earns his bread and butter in Germany.
Ajdin Hrustic (25) from Europa League champion Eintracht Frankfurt took a saved corner straight away and, with a bit of luck, scored the Socceroos’ much-acclaimed winning goal. “It’s a great feeling,” said Irvine following the game. “But it’s only half-time, we still have a game to play.”
Next Monday, Irvine and his team-mates will have it all once morest Peru. And maybe FC St. Pauli will have another World Cup participant. Because before might Daniel-Kofi Kyereh (26) qualified with Ghana for the finals in Qatar.
